Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund (NYSE:MSD) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund (NYSE:MSD) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest during the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totaling 37,956 shares, an increase of 55.1% from the March 15th total of 24,474 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 116,799 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.3 days. Approximately 0.2% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

Institutional Trading of Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Osaic Holdings Inc. increased its stake in Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund by 4.3% during the second quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 551,598 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,264,000 after acquiring an additional 22,763 shares during the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada lifted its stake in shares of Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund by 9.9% in the 4th quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 445,172 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,290,000 after purchasing an additional 40,071 shares during the last quarter. GraniteShares Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund by 9.7% during the 3rd quarter. GraniteShares Advisors LLC now owns 401,260 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,957,000 after purchasing an additional 35,343 shares during the period. Invesco Ltd. increased its position in shares of Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund by 1.7% during the 4th quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 333,888 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,467,000 after purchasing an additional 5,579 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Thomas J. Herzfeld Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund during the 4th quarter worth about $2,386,000.

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund Stock Performance

Shares of Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund stock opened at $7.44 on Thursday. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $7.52 and its 200 day moving average price is $7.44. Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund has a one year low of $6.91 and a one year high of $7.94.

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund Cuts Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 31st were issued a $0.14 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, March 31st. This represents a $0.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 7.5%.

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund Company Profile

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund (NYSE:MSD) is a closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide a high level of current income. The fund primarily invests in U.S. dollar-denominated sovereign and corporate debt securities issued by governments and corporations in emerging market countries.

MSD’s investment strategy emphasizes diversification across regions, sectors and issuers. The fund’s portfolio managers use fundamental credit analysis to identify opportunities in markets such as Latin America, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.